ABOUT / PROFILE / ARCHIVE
Targetted towards beginner to intermediate players, PolyCast (PC) is designed to first entertain and second inform Civ strategy in an audio format. The aim in so doing is to be energetic and interactive in equal measures. This series is marketed and distributed as a podcast. As defined on Wikipedia, podcasting is a method of distributing multimedia files over the Internet using syndication feeds (e.g. RSS for playback on mobile devices and computers). PC productions can be accessed with or without the use of RSS.
FORMAT
PolyCast is a bi-weekly, episodic production at 40-45 minutes in length apiece. They are delivered in both MP3 and Flash formats though MP3 is the primary distribution means. MP3 copies can be downloaded or streamed; for streaming, an active Internet connection is required. For download listening, Winamp is recommended for use on computers. Assorted portable devices work as well in varying download and streaming combinations. Both 64kbps (high-speed) and 16kbps (dial-up) qualities are available. Flash copies, meanwhile, can only be streamed and are available at 64kbps quality only.
An episode is typically made up of three or more segments including an intro and a closing. Music and sound effects used throughout all three series come from Civilization IV, its Warlords or Beyond the Sword expansion packs though snippets from other sources are occasionally incorporated. PC has standing permission from CivIV developer Firaxis Games to use this media in this capacity.
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SEGMENTS
PolyCast includes segments that distinguishes itself from its sibling show ModCast (MC) while blending even sharing others. The segment that is shared equally is Mailbag which addresses listener feedback, though show-specific feedback will be covered accordingly. The segments that are specific to PC are (alphabetically): Interview speaking with key, non-modding individuals in the Civ community; Research Lab exploring concepts that are not in Civ yet but may be in the future; Senate debating game strategies, and Theatre where co-hosts share recent Civ gameplay experiences.
Then there are three blended segments between PC and MC; in other words, there share some attributes but not all. News which covers a week's worth of topical Civilization-related items; on PC, the scope is on all but modding. Forum Talk investigates hot strategy issues raised in Civ community forums; it is the strategic element of what was known as the Modcast on PolyCast Classic. The Time Machine looks back at key moments in Civ history.
PRODUCTION
Each episode follows a routine production regiment as outlined below.
ACS Chief Owner/Administrator and PC regular co-host Daniel "DanQ" Quick is this podcast's editor. For every 45 minutes of produced audio, it spends an average of 8-12 hours in editing.
GUESTS
Having one or more guest co-hosts per episode is standard practice on PolyCast as is to be on ModCast, a valued carryover from the former's first season. The forty-ninth episode features Ian "AAHZ" Hodges and Derek "Kael" Paxton also known as "Murg", Costas "Keygen" and Lance "Lancer" Gross on the forty-eighth; Solver and Anthony "Dauphin" Christmas on the forty-seventh; Chris "Pinkchak" and Jon "CanuckSoldier" Ryder the forty-sixth; Michael "emeseles" Lucas-Smith and James Robertson on the forty-fifth; Bruce "Grandpa Troll" Cronkite on the forty-third; Bruce "Beta" Hynes on the forty-second; Robert "CyberShy" Plomp and Samo "Heraclitus" Burja on the the forty-first; Methos and Gloria "condor223" Carson on the fortieth; thirty-nine has Annalee "Cartimandua" Barney and Alexander "Alexander I" Strub; the thirty-eighth and thirty-seventh episodes feature Michael "emeseles" Lucas-Smith; rah is in the thirty-sixth and on the thirty-fifth is Wouter "Locutus" Snijders. Ken "Carch" Baudicher is on the forty-eighth episode as the interviewee only.
Several guests have also made appearances on special productions under the PC banner. Most recently Jason "Jason2K" Bergman was the interviewee on the second "Focus: Civilization: Revolution" feature. Galen "Cybexx" Ryder, Craig "Fadingbeano", Joe "joebreeves" Reeves, Steven "jsilvrs" Silvers and "UnOrthOdOx" are to be found on the "Yak Civilization: Revolution" release. Released earlier, DarkCloud, Darsnan and Hydro and Maniac can be found on the "Focus: Alpha Centauri" work; in the same series, Rick Reymer, Paul Neurath, Scott Kimbball and Jason Rice are on for Civilization IV: War of Two Cities and Elizabeth "2K Elizabeth" Tobey for Civilization: Revolution. There is also the April Fools 2008 featire OTCast: A Bit Chippy with Imran, rah, Ming and notyoueither.
HISTORY
PolyCast is the strategic-centric production that along with ModCast makes up the second generation of the PolyCast franchise that launched in October 2006 as simply PolyCast. It is considered the first season of PC, but given format and situational differences it is often affectionately referred to as PolyCast Classic (PCC). PC's shiny second season began in January 2008 and continues to progress today.
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- August 9th, 2008
Landmark 50th episode released... with Sid Meier as the guest of honour. [To Come]
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- April 18th, 2008
Annalee begins filling in for an absent Kelly.
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- April 1st, 2008
April Fools 2008 is the launch of third series podcast.
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- March 4th, 2008
First special with publisher guest co-host.
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- January 5th, 2008
Shiny second season begins.
Kelly replaces Wouter who becomes co-host on sibling show.
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- December 24th, 2007
First Christmas Special features all-female panel.
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- December 14th, 2007
First season ends with thirty-fourth episode.
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- September 7th-October 5th, 2007
First 4 then 5 new episodes in as many weeks.
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- August 10th, 2007
First episode with developer guest co-host.
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- June 30th-July 14th, 2007
First back-to-back-to-back episodes released.
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- April 6th, 2007
First episode with 2+ guest co-hosts.
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- February 23rd, 2007
First episode with celebrity guest co-host.
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- January 20th, 2007
First Cut! released.
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- January 8th, 2007
First promo released.
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- January 5th, 2007
First blooper reel released.
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- December 15th, 2006
First episode with guest co-host.
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- October 20th, 2006
First series announced and first episode released.
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- August 29th-September 29th, 2006
Pre-pilot and three pilots recorded.
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- August 22nd, 2006
Daniel and Wouter finalize (first) series outline.
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- August 15-16th, 2006
Daniel cancels "ACSR Weekly" show.
Wouter joins Daniel in formulating replacement.
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